Deaf Row

A Mystery

By: Ron Franscell

Narrated by: Jim Meskimen

Retired to a small Colorado mountain town, former Denver homicide detective Woodrow “Mountain” Bell yearns only to fade away. He has failed in so many ways—as a father, a husband, friend, and cop—he fears he wasted his chance at a meaningful life.

When Bell stumbles across a long-forgotten, unsolved child murder, his first impulse is to let it lie—but he can’t. He is drawn into the macabre mystery when he realizes the killer might still be near.

Without help from ambivalent local cops, Bell must overcome the obstacles of time, age, a lack of police resources, and his own personal flaws by calling upon the unique skills of the end-of-the-road codgers he meets for coffee every morning—a club of old guys who call themselves Deaf Row. Soon, this mottled crew finds itself on a collision course with a serial butcher.

More than a tense mystery, more than an unnerving psychological thriller, Deaf Row is drawn from Ron Franscell’s career as a bestselling true-crime writer and journalist. It’s a novel of men pushing back against time and death, trying not to disappear entirely.

Deaf Row is a moving, occasionally humorous, portrait of flawed people caught in a web of pain and regret.

©2023 Ron Franscell (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing

Crime & actually funny Dad jokes!

I absolutely loved this book. Even though it offers a mystery with gruesome crimes, the serious crime should be able to be tolerated by anyone with a funny bone. The “good guys’” banter delighted me and kept me laughing out loud. The priest’s prayers are a stitch too, even though they are appropriate to those who are praying with him. It was a joy to have found and read Deaf Row! The mystery is good also.

I have read two other books Ron Franscell. I appreciated them, but they were not fun. This was a treat!

A great read for a cold winter’s night

Great characters, chilling storyline (and Colorado winter setting), and fantastic narration by Jim Meskimen. He brings each of the members of Deaf Row to vivid life! Highly recommend this engaging book!

Compelling

The story moves you along so well. Quite compelling, Great characterization. Also a bit spooky which is wonderful!

Very good

As an old timer I particularly liked this book and recommend it to one and all

Deaf Row rivals Stephen King’s best - minus the gore

The Deaf Row geezers are beautifully drawn characters. I see a future for them in the movies or maybe a TV series. Ron Franschell is well known in true crime; now he’s earned his place n fiction. I can’t wait for what’s to come!